Almost half the vehicles stopped in a spot-check in Leicestershire were immediately taken off the road.

Operation Sackful, involving Market Bosworth police, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Trading Standards and the Environment Agency took place on the A444 near Twycross and the A5 near the Carlyon industrial estate, in Atherstone yesterday.

Of the 53 vehicles stopped, 24 were issued with immediate prohibitions - serious defects which means they cannot drive on public roads until the defect is rectified.

A further 11 were served with delayed prohibitions where the driver is given a deadline to rectify the problem.

One man was stopped for drug-driving and five tickets were issued to drivers for offences ranging from 'due care and attention' to vehicle condition.

A police spokesman said: “It's certainly not a case of persecution of innocent motorists - these are all in the interests of the safety of all road users.